The East Lansing City Council at its Tuesday meeting adopted a modified 50-50 alcohol-to-food sales ratio rule by a 5-0 margin. The new ordinance on the books makes East Lansing's rules less strict and even exempts some establishments.

But while the council adopted the new rules unanimously, its members agreed it was just the beginning of a process to curb alcohol-related problems in East Lansing. Many of them pointed to the recent fires and civil disturbance in the city following Michigan State's Big Ten championship game win.

"I don't feel that we're in any way done," Mayor Pro Tem Diane Goddeeris said. This only "lays the groundwork for future discussion."

The revised ordinance allows a 60-40 alcohol-to-food sales ratio for restaurants that have operated for at least two years, seat fewer than 150 patrons and serve lunch at least five days a week. Only Crunchy's and Woody's Oasis meet these criteria, according to city data.

Several longtime East Lansing establishments are grandfathered in and not held accountable to the 50-50 ordinance. They are: Harrison Roadhouse, Roadhouse Pub, Hobies, P.T. O'Malley's, Peanut Barrel, Rick's American Cafe and The Riv. For all other establishments, the 50-50 ordinance still applies.

Another change moves enforcement of East Lansing's 50-50 ordinance to the hands of police instead of the city's zoning department. Before, East Lansing's only enforcement of the rule--in cases where establishments failed to report--was revocation of the Special Use Permit that businesses need to operate.

Such revocation would effectively close a business immediately, which many city officials found too severe. The new ordinance makes dereliction of the 50-50 ordinance a civil infraction punishable by a progressive scale of ticketing.

The new ordinance also allows establishments serving at least 80 percent food and those closing by 11 p.m. to not have to submit quarterly reports on their sales.

East Lansing began to reconsider its 50-50 ordinance in early 2013. In March, the City Council implemented a 180-day moratorium on new businesses serving alcohol past midnight while it discussed future moves.

Earlier this year, East Lansing's city staff had proposed reducing the number of seats in its downtown alcohol-serving establishments past midnight through attrition. Such a change would have effectively instituted a moratorium on new alcohol-serving establishments in downtown East Lansing.

That proposal was rescinded after considerable negative feedback from residents, businesses, East Lansing's Downtown Management Board and Downtown Development Authority.

"Staff felt that there just wasn't support in the community for that," East Lansing Planning and Community Development Director Tim Dempsey told the City Council on Tuesday. "(Many thought) it probably would not have impacted some of the outcomes that staff were seeking."

Several councilmembers said capping the number of seats at its downtown alcohol-serving establishments could be perilous with the development opportunities the city is trying to cultivate. Multiple councilmembers said that was reason enough for them to reject such a proposal, including Councilwoman Kathleen Boyle.

"We are at the edge of significant development downtown that is very necessary for the city of East Lansing," she said. "If having a permanent moratorium dissuades a quality restaurant or a hotel with a quality restaurant from locating in downtown East Lansing, then such a moratorium would poorly serve the citizens of East Lansing."

Boyle added that the City Council still has the singular authority to approve or deny a license for a business wishing to serve alcohol past midnight, making such a moratorium excessive.

City Manager George Lahanas said the new ordinance attempts to "encourage a diversity of dining options in our downtown" and increase appeal "for a broad range of fine dining, family dining and late-night dining." He said city staff felt East Lansing's restaurants largely cater to late-night dining and could use more diversifying in that regard.

East Lansing Mayor Nathan Triplett said the new 50-50 ordinance utilizes the city's best tools for addressing problems in the long run. He called the new reporting requirements "more reasonable".

Councilwoman Ruth Beier announced there will be a public hearing for further input and discussion on the future direction of East Lansing as it tries to remedy alcohol-related problems. That will take place at the council's Jan. 28 work session.

Three community members spoke about the matter during public comment, including Jerry Sprague, a local musician who often performs at downtown establishments, such as Harper's.

Sprague, who also lives in East Lansing, said he was concerned about a culture of alcohol over-consumption he feels is beginning to define East Lansing, referencing the civil disturbance earlier this month. He told the City Council that East Lansing's downtown should not be adding any more alcohol-serving establishments.

"I don't think we're ready," Sprague said.

The ordinance revisions will take effect as soon as the city publishes them, which Dempsey said traditionally occurs within several weeks.